Another thing for the smaller station to consider is when it is
practical to start a run. You might not be loud enough, the band might
not be open enough, there might be too much QRM, etc. Start by doing
some S&P up and down the band - if you are getting through on the first
call when others are calling as well, that's a good indication you are
loud enough to call CQ and get answers. (That last part - and get
answers - is the important part. Anybody can call CQ.) If your contacts
need repeats to get through - best stay with S&P for a while.
Take note of where in the band you're getting through. Typically for
smaller stations, you'll have a better signal-to-noise ratio high in the
band. If you can get through in kilowatt alley, go for it. Otherwise,
think about calling CQ where you can be heard. This is a good reason to
learn propagation. Set up VOACAP Online (http://www.voacap.com/) with
your station's parameters and try a few typical setups for who you think
you're going to be called by. Figure out what time and direction will
work best - then try them.
And, as always, there is no reason not to simply try CQing when you find
a hole. If you catch a few contacts and then it dries up or a big
station moves in - well, you have those contacts in your log, so move
on. I got used to that when operating QRP!
73, Ward N0AX
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